The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

 The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

Bibliography

Kerley, Barbara. 2010. THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY). Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780329839147

Plot Summary

Barbara Kerley's book gives the readers insight into the life of Mark Twain, a famous writer, through the eyes of his daughter, Susy. Kerley recounts Susy's process of writing this biography about her father and the man she knew that not many truly did. With Edwin Fotheringham's colorful and beautiful illustrations, The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) shows us Mark Twain like we've never seen him before.

Critical Analysis

Most literature lovers know Mark Twain, but not in the way that his daughter, Susy, knows him. Barbara Kerley's biography within a biography gives readers unique insight into the life of the prolific author from the writings of his daughter. 

Kerley uses direct quotes from Susy, which are interspersed throughout her own text and in brief entries from Susy's biography, places in tiny flipping pages throughout the book. This addition lets us see directly into Susy's writings, misspelled words and all, which helps to back up Kerley's own words and lets readers connect with the Twain family. Kerley has done her research, going so far as to read through little Susy's writings, which can be found in the works that were published after her death. Kerley's text is paired with Edwin Fotheringham's exquisite illustrations that really help to bring to life the Mark Twain that Susy sees. Colorful and bright and filled with wonder, the pictures represent the brilliant mind of the brilliant man himself. 

Fans of Mark Twain will greatly appreciate this deeper look into the well known author, and those that have yet to be introduced to him would do good to pick up this book to see the life and mind of the extraordinary Mark Twain, according to his extraordinary daughter. 

Review Excerpts

Kirkus Reviews: "A heartwarming tribute to both the writing life in general and the well-loved humorist—oops, sorry Susy… 'Pholosopher!'"

Horn Book Guide: "Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens's biography of her father informs this account covering both biographer and biographee. Kerley details Susy's process of writing about and observing her father, using primary sources and inserting seven small facsimiles of Susy's journal pages into the book. Fotheringham's muted palette and large, sturdy illustrations provide discreet counterpoint to a complicated design."

Publishers Weekly" "Adding dynamic flair to the limited palettes of each digitally created scene are curlicues representing words, which emanate wildly from pen tips, pages, and mouths. Author notes about Susy and her father, a time line of Twain’s life, and tips for writing an “extraordinary biography” complete this accessible and inventive vision of an American legend."

Connections

More by Barbara Kerley: Eleanor Makes Her Mark: How Eleanor Roosevelt Reached Out, Spoke Up,                                             and Changed the World

                                         A Cool Drink of Water

                                        Following Baxter

Picture Book Biographies: The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney by Alice B.                                                        McGinty

                                            Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade

                                            A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War                                             Double Agent by Anne Rockwell

Activity: Create a biography of a family member.